College of San Mateo TV station is cancelled, and so far bids are rejected

The Daily Journal (San Mateo), Staff, 10/26/12.  "College district rejects television station bids."

  Community college, a valuable education asset

...  "After struggling for years to eliminate the $1 million operating deficit for KCSM-TV, the San Mateo County Community College District decided to sell the station late last year. Six bids were received by Feb. 14. Negotiations with the two responsive highest were not successful. As a result, the board rejected all bids Wednesday. A study session on next steps is planned for Wednesday, Nov. 14.

....  KCSM-TV began operating in 1964 at its current location at the College of San Mateo. The non-commercial station broadcasts a variety of programs including television courses, the numbers for which have dropped in recent years in favor of online classes. Broadcasting, as a program, was on hiatus for a couple of years but returned more than a year ago with all new digital gear.

But KCSM FM/JAZZ 91.1 will not be sold

The challenge for elected officials has been the budget strain. In recent years, millions in cuts have been made. Programs with low enrollment were put on hiatus or discontinued and the board adopted a “core values” focus. As a result, programs not addressing the basic needs of students need to be self-funded, per the district’s direction. KCSM-TV is one of the programs which fell into this category."   Read more.

Reference -  College of San Mateo.

Comment from the "KCSM-TV to be sold" link.  "Core Values statement:  With extremely tight resources, the Board has decreed that the Colleges must concentrate on serving transfer and career/technical students, as well as basic skills students who are preparing for college-level work."

Posted by Kathy Meeh